Speaking to TheFishSite at Aquaculture 2016, Professor Charles Bai from Pukyong National University, South Korea, explained that as there is a huge variety of species being farmed in Asia there is no research and advancement with regards to one specific species, as is seen elsewhere, i.e. Norway and salmon.
Efforts therefore need to focus on developing all aspects of farming individual species , such as through selective breeding and nutrition programmes.
More work therefore needs to be done in developing selective breeding and nutrition programmes so that the farming of individual species can be developed entirely.
Professor Bai also noted that attention needs to be paid to improving fish health in general, cutting down antibiotic use and also on developing better processing, packaging and marketing of products.
In other news, India's Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA) has noted that the country is likely to see a decrease in its aquaculture exports due to disease, poor seed quality and adverse climatic conditions.
The Hindu newspaper reported that exports could fall by 10-15 per cent this year.
In markets news, Thai company, Thai Union, has entered into a joint venture agreement to acquire a 40 per cent equity stake of Avanti Feeds Limited’s wholly owned shrimp processing unit Avanti Frozen Foods Private Limited India.
The stake will be worth 1,254.1 million Indian Rupees. Thai Union hopes the investment will allow the company to diversify its shrimp sourcing and add production capacity to meet the growing demand for shrimp products.
